Mindful eating is all about using mindfulness to reach a state of full attention to your experiences, cravings, and physical cues when eating.
To truly master eating mindfully takes practice and a support system of experts to guide you. As well as a community of encouraging, like-minded people to help you navigate the challenges you might face. While it may seem difficult at first, you will eventually be able to overcome any eating challenges.
Try the following tips and tricks to work towards mindful eating:
EAT SLOWLY ~ Slowing down is one of the best ways we can get our mind and body to communicate what we really need for nutrition. When you slow down, you can give your body a chance to catch up to your brain and hear the signals to eat the right amount.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY ~ Often we listen first to our minds, but like many mindfulness practices, we might discover more wisdom by tuning into our bodies first. Too often, we eat when our mind tells us to, rather than our bodies. True mindful eating is actually listening deeply to our body’s signals for hunger. Ask yourself: What are your body’s hunger signals, and what are your emotional hunger triggers?
CULTIVATE A MINDFUL KITCHEN ~ Another way that we eat mindlessly is by wandering around looking through cabinets and eating at random times and places, rather than just thinking proactively about our meals. Having a mindful kitchen means organizing and caring for your kitchen space, so it encourages healthy eating and nourishing gatherings.
ATTEND TO YOUR PLATE~ Multitasking and eating is a recipe for not being able to listen deeply to our body’s needs and wants. With your next meal, try single tasking and just eating, with no screens or distractions. Instead, share a meal and good conversation with your eating companion.